There are a number of branches of the Drukpa Kagyu and each has it own liturgies for doing the preliminary practices (Tib. ngondro). The Kham (East Tibetan) tradition of the Drukpa Kagyu, headed by the Khamtrul Rinpoches has a number of these liturgies. However, the one composed by Kunga Tendzin, the third Khamtrul Rinpoche is the one most often used. It is the liturgy used for example at Tashi Jong in India, the present-day seat of Khamtrul Rinpoche.

The text of the liturgy was translated into English by Lotsawa Tony at the request of Tsoknyi Rinpoche. It is a standard, Mahamudra style reliminaries liturgy in which there are four sets of one hundred thousand preliminaries to be done. The liturgy is extensive. Kunga Tenzin included a lot of material in his liturgy and this makes it useful as a reference for anyone. For example, the whole laying aside practice done with the practice of The Thirty-five Buddhas, and the Sutra of the Three Heaps is contained in it. There is also a magnificent guru yoga section for the Drukpa Kagyu, which is exceptionally beautiful. There is also a nice collection of dedication prayers at the end.

The translation was done by Lotsawa Tony during a three-month session at Tsoknyi Rinpoche's Ngedon Osel Ling in Nepal, when a large group of Drukpa Kagyu lamas and rinpoches of the East Tibetan tradition gathered together for a Drukpa Kagyu Dharma Festival. The translation went very nicely and it was generally felt that the poetic qualities of the Tibetan came out well into English, which was pleasing to all concerned.

The liturgy should be of special interest to all Drukpa Kagyu followers. More than that, it should be of interest to anyone doing the preliminary practices.

Paperback, 95 Pages

The author, well-known translator and teacher Tony Duff has practised extensively with Gelug, Kagyu, and Nyingma traditions. He has been translating, teaching, and practising in these schools for thirty-five years. He is well known for his teaching, contributions to the translation of Tibetan Buddhism, and major works in preserving and re-publishing Tibetan Buddhist texts.